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Hillcroft House
01449 774633 Finborough Road , Stowmarket, Suffolk, IP14 1PW
http://www.healthcarehomes.co.uk/homes/hillcroft-house/
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Hillcroft Residents put through paces
Stowmarket care home praised by industry inspector
Healthcare Homes completes acquisition of The Malthouse
Hillcroft House, a residential home in Stowmarket that accommodates residents with dementia, is a Grade 2 listed building that dates back over 200 years. It has been tastefully extended but retains the link with the original house to provide facilities very much in keeping with the 21st century.
New single rooms at this care home, all with en-suite facilities, are tastefully decorated and provide residents with a quality environment for enjoyment of life in later years. These add to the original rooms, which have a variety of views and facilities.
Although all rooms are fully furnished, the team encourage residents to bring with them items of furniture and personal possessions so that their room can be a true 'home from home'.
Hillcroft House is a residential home situated in a quiet part of Stowmarket, yet is still conveniently situated to the centre of the town.
Information supplied by carehome.co.uk
Address: Finborough Road, Stowmarket, Suffolk, IP14 1PW
Website: http://www.healthcarehomes.co.uk/homes/hillcroft-house/
Email: manager@hillcrofthouse.healthcarehomes.co.uk
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Residents at Hillcroft House residential care home in Stowmarket, Suffolk, were put through their paces this week when Ed Willett, local fitness instructor, visited the home for a fitness class.
As a result, the fitness class has become a regular feature on Hillcroft House's activities programme and, in charge of delivering the classes, Ed is a familiar visitor to the home.
Yesterday Ed brought along with him his chocolate Labrador, Bertie, for everyone to meet. Along with the exercises, residents enjoyed petting Ed's adorable companion.
Commenting on Ed's visit, Amanda Atkins, manager of Hillcroft House said: "We recognise that fitness is an important part of maintaining and improving residents' overall well-being, in terms of the contribution it makes to both their physical and mental fitness. It was great to have Ed visit – and everyone also loved meeting Bertie too!"
For more information on the range of residential and respite care services available at Hillcroft House, telephone: 01449 774633.
A care home based in Stowmarket has been rated as 'good' by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), following an inspection into the quality of service it provides. Hillcroft House, which is part of the Healthcare Homes group, was inspected in May and has now received this positive grading.
The CQC is the independent regulator of health and adult social care in England. It makes sure health and social care services provide people with safe, effective, compassionate and high-quality care.
Inspectors visited Hillcroft House in an unannounced visit and spent time speaking with staff, residents, the relatives of residents and the registered manager. They looked to determine whether the service delivered at the home was safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led. They provided detailed ratings on all these areas which contributed to the overall grade.
The report particularly highlighted the friendly, positive atmosphere at the home. It states "Staff were happy and positive. This exuded from some who sang and danced through their working day whilst positively supporting people. This light-heartedness was felt by the people being supported and prompted them to smile and join in. People looked happy and there was a degree of calm and people had purpose to their day."
The team strive to deliver care that is person-centred, and based entirely on the needs of individuals. The report recognised this, stating "Staff took their time to talk with people and showed them that they were important" and "Staff knew people well including their preferences for care and their personal histories." A resident's relative also told the inspectors, "It's not the Ritz, but its heart is pure gold."
The comments made by inspectors are reflected in the numerous reviews posted by residents and relatives on the independent carehome.co.uk website, where the home is currently rated as 9.7 out of 10. One relative of a resident commented "Everybody at the home from the cleaners, cooks, admin and care staff themselves are extremely warm and friendly and treat guests and residents like extended family members."
Another said, "Not only does Hillcroft House take care of my dad, they are so very kind and lovely to my mum and make every member of our family very welcome each time we visit."
Manager of Hillcroft House, Amanda Atkins said: "We are so pleased to have achieved this consistently positive feedback from our industry inspectors.
"It is essential that we continually review the service we provide and that we receive this feedback from industry experts. We want to care for our residents in the best possible way, and every member of the team is delighted that both inspectors and the relatives of our residents are so happy with the service at Hillcroft House. We will now work to ensure these high standards are maintained and that we continue to create a 'home from home' for our residents."
The full inspection report can be viewed at www.cqc.org.uk. For more information on Hillcroft House, call 01449 774 633.
Hillcroft House is based on Finborough Road in Stowmarket and provides residential care for up to 43 residents, many of whom live with dementia.
Last updated on 07 August 2017.
Healthcare Homes group, the East Anglian-based residential care and homecare provider, has today announced the completion of the purchase of The Malthouse Residential Home in Gillingham, Dorset. The purchase takes Healthcare Homes' portfolio of high quality residential and nursing homes up to 25 and expands its reach beyond East Anglia, into the South of England.
The Malthouse is an award-winning residential service that provides long-term care, respite, as well as supported living for up to 33 older people. Following an unannounced inspection by the CQC in January, the home has been awarded an overall rating of Good, plus the home has been awarded the 'Commend' status for the nationally recognised Gold Standards Accreditation for End of Life Care.
The purchase of The Malthouse is the second acquisition that the Healthcare Homes Group has completed in 2016, following the completion of Park House Nursing Home in Peterborough in January.
David Bates, Chief Operating Officer of Healthcare Homes Group said: "The Malthouse has an excellent reputation in Gillingham for providing exceptional care to its residents. The CQC's latest report on the home is proof of this, with an extremely positive write-up on all aspects of the care and support provided to its residents. We very much look forward to working with the existing team to continue delivering the same high standards of care that residents are accustomed to."
The purchase completed on 15 March 2016 for an undisclosed sum.
Last updated on 17 March 2016.
Healthcare Homes announced as 'Top 20 Recommended Large Care Home Group'
Healthcare Homes Group has been awarded a 'Top 20 Recommended Large Care Home Groups' 2016 award by carehome.co.uk, the leading guide to all UK care homes, care home products, services, jobs and news. The group received an overall score of 8.8 out of 10, which was based on independent reviews submitted by both the residents that live in the homes, as well as their relatives.
The carehome.co.uk Top 20 Care Home Group Awards 2016 highlight the most recommended Care Home Groups in the UK. The awards are based on The Group Review Score as of 15th February 2016. This is derived from the average of all the Review Scores of its Members' homes.
Independent reviews are submitted by residents and their relatives to the carehome.co.uk site, where they score a home on a range of factors including the standard of facilities, care and support provided, cleanliness, food & drink, staff, activities, management, safety, rooms, value for money and whether they feel they are treated with dignity.
Mike Osborne, Managing Director of Healthcare Homes Group said: "To be recognised as one of the top care home groups by carehome.co.uk is a fantastic achievement. The scoring is based on independent votes from the relatives and residents who have first-hand experience of our homes, the services we provide and the people who help deliver the most appropriate care to them or their loved-ones. It is testament to the dedicated care and support provided by our team; everyone across our organisation should be very proud to be awarded this national accolade."
For more information, telephone 01206 233190.
From Suffolk to Uganda: Hillcroft House supports children's charity
Hillcroft House Residential Home in Stowmarket, Suffolk has pledged its support to the Bridge of Hope Children's Ministry; a charity that provides help for orphans and abandoned children in Uganda. Staff and residents of the home first pledged their support for the charity when they learned that staff member Rachelle Skerratt is planning a trip to the Uganda charity in May this year.
To help raise funds, a 'cookie exchange' was held at the home, which has raised a grand total of £111 for the charity. In addition, a further £51 has been donated following a raffle at Hillcroft House. Further fundraising events are planned leading up to Rachelle's departure in May.
Lorraine Barker, manager of Hillcroft House explains: "Rachelle has already visited the charity once before and when we heard that she would be visiting again, we thought it would be a great idea if we could get involved in some way. The residents had great fun helping to organise the cookie exchange and they are happy to support the worthwhile cause. We look forward to following Rachelle's progress when she gets back from her trip in the spring."
Adds Rachelle, who is a care worker at Hillcroft House and lives in Stowmarket: "I discovered The Bridge of Hope Children's Ministry charity about ten years ago as my brother-in-law and sister-in-law were both involved with the charity. It supports the plight of many children in Uganda who would otherwise be living on the streets in conditions of extreme poverty. It helps provide a safe home in a family style environment and provides a level of education and healthcare that many abandoned children would not otherwise have access to.
I now visit Uganda every couple of years to help with any projects that are underway there. During the year I collect clothes, soft toys and other donations, which are either sold for money which is donated to the charity, or items of clothing are shipped to the charity for the children. It's such an amazing cause and I'm very grateful to everyone at Hillcroft House for supporting the charity this year."
For more information, telephone Hillcroft House on 01449 774633 or, for more details regarding the Charity, visitwww.bohcm.org.
Last updated on 16 February 2016.
Mega Easter Bonnet Competition Launched
Group Activities Coordinators Sue Campbell-Bannerman and Rita Coleman are never short of an idea or two when it comes to setting a fun, creative, competitive challenge for residents and staff across the Healthcare Homes Group. The most recent challenge that has just been announced is a MEGA EASTER BONNET challenge.
As the name suggests, the aim of the challenge is to bring individuals together to design and create an eye-catching oversized Easter bonnet. From each home, one lucky resident will be chosen by their peers to be photographed modelling the bonnet. The photo entries will then be judged and prizes will be awarded to the top three entries.
Each home is also being asked to take photos of the bonnet in its making so the judges can see the creation process in action. The design itself can be any shape or colour scheme, and materials can be used. But the keyword in the title challenge is 'MEGA' - scale is the order of the day!
As Rita and Sue point out "The idea is to design and create an oversized, larger-than-life Easter bonnet. Oversized bonnets make fantastic photographs, so competitors should not hold back. Go as bold as you dare! We envisage tremendous fun, especially with individual homes choosing their own resident model to wear it for their entry!"
The competition is open to all residents and staff across the group. Friends and family of residents and staff are also invited to join in the creative fun.
Photo entries must be submitted by Wednesday 23rd March and prizes will be awarded to the top three entries, once the judging has taken place.
We look forward to publishing the photos here on the website and to announcing the winners in due course.
Children host carol service at Hillcroft House
On Monday, Hillcroft House residential home in Stowmarket received a visit from the children of Chilton Primary School who put on a Carol Service for the residents.
The two classes sang a number of classic Christmas Carols which were thoroughly enjoyed by all the residents and staff.
Lorraine Barker, home manager for Hillcroft House said: "We would all like to say a special thank you to the children that came into the home to host the Christmas carol service. Everyone really enjoyed the visit and it was so nice to hear renditions of some of our favourite Christmas classic hymns and songs."
Last updated on 10 December 2015.
'Tin for Ten' Christmas Art and Craft Challenge Launched
In the final round-up of its 10th anniversary celebrations, Healthcare Homes group is hosting a 'Tin for Ten Christmas Mobile Challenge', which invites residents from its 23 homes from across the Eastern region to create a Christmas decoration showpiece, in the form of a hanging mobile. With Tin representing a tenth anniversary, the mobile must include tin foil somewhere in the design.
Throughout the year, the Group has already successfully hosted several fun and creative challenges, including a Bake Off and an In Bloom flower arranging contest. This latest Tin for Ten Christmas Mobile project challenges residents, staff and friends and families of each home to work together to create an imaginative eye-catching mobile decoration. Each decoration will then be hung on display in a prominent place in each home for all to see and enjoy throughout the festive season.
Photos are to be provided to the regional activities coordinators, in order for a winning first, second and third place prize to be awarded to those that have shown design flair, creativity and team working.
Referring to the forthcoming challenge, Sue Campbell-Bannerman and Rita Coleman, the Regional Activities Coordinators for Healthcare Homes, said: "Following on from our previous successful challenges, we have launched "Tin for Ten" in order to wrap up our tenth anniversary celebrations with a final festive flourish. Each mobile must include tin foil in its design, which is not only an easy, pliable material to work with, but it is also adds a bit of sparkle for the Christmas season. Everyone has really enjoyed all the creative challenges set this year – we've found them to be a really great way of keeping residents engaged; physically, mentally and socially."
Judging of the homes' displays will officially take place once all the entries have been received – the deadline of which is 4th December. Prizes will be presented for the three best designs.
Fun and Frolics at The Felixstowe Hut
Residents and carers of Hillcroft House residential home in Stowmarket enjoyed a sunny day out at the seaside this month.
Taking advantage of what remains of this year's glorious sunshine, the residents took a trip to Felixstowe. After feasting on a fabulous fish and chip lunch at The Hut, a small café on the promenade, it was time for a singsong and dance accompanied by organ player, Mr Bryant.
Of course no trip to the seaside would be complete without the traditional ice cream and a stroll along the prom. The recently renovated Spa Gardens were a real treat. Residents sat and relaxed admiring the new landscaped gardens and watching the world go by, taking in the sea air and chatting with the locals; many of whom were out taking their dogs for a walk. One canine friend even made it back to The Hut later in the afternoon for a petting session with residents!
"It was a thoroughly enjoyable day out, and we were so lucky with the weather," said Lorraine Barker, manager of the home.
Everyone gathers for Coffee and Cake in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support
Healthcare Homes group is hosting a series of coffee mornings at its residential and nursing homes located across the region to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support, as part of the 'World's Biggest Coffee Morning' event.
The event, which officially takes place on Friday 25 September, encourages people all over the UK to gather together over coffee and cake with friends, family and local community members to raise valuable funds for the cancer support charity.
Residents and staff are planning a varied schedule of activities, to encourage as many friends, family members and neighbours to come along to one of the many coffee morning events being hosted across the group. The planned schedule of coffee mornings and related includes:
Mill Lane Nursing and Retirement Home (Felixstowe, Suffolk) is holding a "Spot the Cake" and "Star Baker" competition at their coffee morning, which is taking place on Tuesday 22 September, 11:00am-12:30pm, as well as a prize-winning raffle;
Beaumont Park Nursing and Residential Home (Biggleswade, Bedfordshire) is hosting a raffle as well as serving a delicious range of cakes and sweet treats (from 10:30am);
Olive House Residential Care Home (Newton Flotman, Norwich) is hosting a coffee and cake gathering for its residents and is inviting local people to attend to enjoy a range of home-made sponges and fruit cakes in return for donations for the charity (from 11:00am);
Uvedale Hall Residential Home (Needham Market, Suffolk) is hosting a 'Fake or Bake' contest to see if people can tell the difference between home-made and shop-bought cakes. Competitions will also be held in order to raise money for Macmillan (from 2:15pm);
The White House (Beccles, Suffolk) is hosting a coffee and cake afternoon, which will include a raffle and harvest festival celebrations as well as a non-uniform day to raise funds (from 2:00pm);
Lowestoft Manorcourt Homecare branch (Riverside Business Park, NR33 0TQ) is hosting a coffee and cake morning between 10am and 12 noon in the Marsh room. Guests invited.
Sue Campbell-Bannerman, Group Activities Co-ordinator for Healthcare Homes explains: "Macmillan Cancer Support is a charity that is very dear to many of us – cancer is something that has touched most of us in some way and so we are pleased to be hosting a wide number of coffee and cake mornings across our group. A majority of our 23 homes are holding an event and so we encourage you to take a look at our schedule to find a home near you, so you can join in and raise money for this worthy cause."
For more information regarding Macmillan's 'World Largest Coffee Morning', visit coffee.macmillan.org.uk/
Last updated on 22 September 2015.
'Healthcare Homes In Bloom' launches
As part of a year of celebrations to mark its 10th anniversary, Healthcare Homes Group has announced the second in a series of fun and creative challenges for each of the group's 23 residential homes.
After a hugely successful first 'bake off' challenge, the second for staff and residents at each home located across Suffolk, Norfolk, Cambridgeshire and Bedfordshire is to design and create an "In Bloom" flower display, which will coincide withNational Dementia Carer's Day, on Sunday 13th September.
Referring to the forthcoming floral challenge, Sue Campbell-Bannerman and Rita Coleman, Regional Activities Co-ordinators for Healthcare Homes, said: "Following on from the very successful Bake-Off, 'Healthcare Homes In Bloom' is the perfect second creative challenge for all of our homes to take part in, to continue our 10th anniversary celebrations. After all, who does not love flowers? Competitors can choose any design, colour or shape, but each display must include the number 10 somewhere, which can be in any form."
Sue and Rita go on to explain why competitors are also being asked to include Forget-me-Nots in their displays: "Flowers, their colours and perfume, can evoke strong memories of times gone by, happy or sad. Reminiscence is very much a part of the work we do at Healthcare Homes and it is important in connecting our residents with memories of loved ones, friends and perhaps flowers and gardens they have loved in the past. Forget-me-Nots are therefore a highly symbolic part of our message – not to mention that they are beautiful too."
Judging of the displays officially takes place on Friday 18th September 2015, once the floral designs have been on display for visitors to see at the homes during the week prior, which incorporates National Dementia Carer's Day.
Care Home Open Day Update, 19th June
With National Care Home Open Day fast approaching, we thought we would provide an update :
In celebration of our 10th anniversary, all 23 homes across the Healthcare Homes Group, are currently designing and baking a special cake to mark our decade in business. The baked goods will be judged as part of this year's National Care Home Open Day.
The Healthcare Homes 'Bake-Off Challenge' enables staff and residents to come up with a creative design, colours or theme for their cakes. The finished products will then be on display at each home on Friday 19th June, which coincides with National Care Home Open Day, enabling visitors to both view and sample the delicious cakes with afternoon tea.
Last updated on 23 June 2015.
Vintage Vehicle Visits Hillcroft
Residents of Hillcroft House in Stowmarket received a visit from a vintage car enthusiast this month, who brought with him a 1950s car for everyone to enjoy.
Organised by one of Hillcroft House's social work students, Neil, the visit enabled many residents to enjoy reminiscing to days when they used to drive or work on such cars. Many enjoyed sitting behind the wheel of the car, which was on display in the driveway of the home.
Hillcroft extends Thanks to social work students
Residents, their family members and staff from Hillcroft House in Stowmarket have extended their warm wishes and messages of thanks to a number of social work students, who have spent work placements at the home. The home has been providing placements over the last two years for the independent social work group, Life Resolutions.
Placements vary from two weeks to 70-day placements at Life Resolutions, whereby part of the placement is spent at the home.
The students provide one-to-one support with residents, help organise activities groups - this has included setting up a creative writing group, where the resident's are developing memory books. They have also organised a gentlemen's group, where three male students work with the male residents and organise social gatherings.
They have also set up a relative support group which meets regularly and includes speakers who attend to discuss a wide range of topics. This has included visits from the Alzheimers Society and an expert to speak about VERA, which is a communication tool that is used to support people who are living with dementia.
The manager, Lorraine Barker, also takes the students on assessments, so they then support the resident and their family through the admission process and settling into the home.
Confirms Lorraine: "Some of the social work students are coming to the end of their placements and we would like to thank them for the support they have given to the residents and their families. Oliie and Leanne planned a relatives support meeting on 23rd April, where they arranged for a speaker to discuss ways to communicate with people living with dementia."
Dementia Awareness Week
This week is Dementia Awareness Week (17-23 May) - many of our homes provide vital care and support to people with dementia. In addition, our specialist Dementia Care Day Centre, Angelica Place, runs regular events and activities specifically to support those with dementia and those that care for them. This includes the weekly Friendship Cafe, which takes place every Monday and is a support group for those caring for family members with dementia.
During Dementia Awareness Week, we encourage you to contact one of the homes near you, to find out what activites are being organised. There are tea parties, coffee mornings, sing songs from the past, reminisce sessions and more.
Donations can be made via the Alzheimer's Society website by visiting: http://www/alzheimers.org.uk/remembertheperson. A helpline is also available: 0300 222 11 22
Additional information and support in caring for those with dementia, can be found by visiting Norfolk and Suffolk Dementia Alliance: www.dementia-alliance.com.
"Gentlemen's Day" club launches at Hillcroft House
With 'Ladies Day' taking place at Cheltenham races this month, the team at Hillcroft House residential home in Stowmarket have redressed the balance by introducing its very own "Gentlemen's Day' club.
The new social group has launched for male residents at Hillcroft House, which invites them to meet for lunch, along with social work students once a month and watch Pathé newsreels and documentaries together.
The home, which provides high quality tailored care to older people with dementia, has launched the club as a social outlet for its gentlemen residents to encourage conversation, friendship, debate and laughter.
Confirms Lorraine Barker, Manager of Hillcroft House: "Our first gentlemen's club was a great success. A number of social work students who come to us as part of their placement were also involved and everyone enjoyed a delicious lunch followed by a showing of a number of old Pathé films, which they discusses afterwards."
Christmas Quilt is well on its Way!
Healthcare Homes, which provides residential care and support to the elderly and people with dementia, set every one of its 23 residential and nursing care homes the creative challenge of producing a Christmas-themed fabric square. The squares have been stitched together to make a quilt measuring over more than 6ft by 6ft.
The quilt is currently making its way around each of the homes which helped create it, starting its 435-mile journey across Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire and Bedfordshire, at Claremont House and Lodge in Caister, near Great Yarmouth, on November 13.
The quilt made its way to The Manor House in North Walsham on Thursday, and will be handed over to Olive House in Newton Flotman, Norfolk on Monday .
Residents from each home are accompanying the quilt to the next home.
Sue Campbell-Bannerman, group activities co-ordinator for the Healthcare Homes group, said: "As well as the creative element, by sharing the finished product across the homes, it also makes it a fantastic social occasion with residents taking the quilt from home to home."
Emma Cooper, manager at The Manor House in North Walsham, said they welcomed the quilt on its journey with a glass of sherry and a mince pie.
The quilt completes its trip at the Healthcare Homes office in Langham near Colchester, on January 12, with plans to donate the quilt to a hospice.
Homemade Christmas Quilt to Travel 435 Miles for Festive Project
Residents of Healthcare Homes' 23 residential and nursing care homes across the Eastern counties have completed a creative project that has seen the formation of a huge Christmas quilt, which will now spend two months travelling between all homes for everyone's enjoyment. The 435-mile journey starts at Claremont House & Lodge in Caister-on-Sea, Norfolk, on 13 November and completes its trip at the Healthcare Homes office in Langham near Colchester, Essex, on 12 January 2015.
The group, which provides residential care and support to the elderly and also to people with dementia, set every home the creative challenge of producing a Christmas-themed fabric square. Residents have enjoyed creating a wide range of festive designs, which on completion, has been professionally stitched together to make a huge quilt, which measures over 6.5 foot x 6.5 foot.
Now the quilt is finished, the next stage of the project is for it to make its way around all 23 homes, which are located across Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire and Bedfordshire. Residents from each home will accompany the quilt to the next home, where they will be greeted with mince pies and sherry from the welcoming home. Once the epic journey has been completed, there are plans to donate the quilt to a local hospice.
Confirms Sue Campbell-Bannerman, Group Activities Coordinator for the Healthcare Homes group: "Every year my colleague Rita Coleman and I set our homes an annual fun challenge and the Christmas Quilt has really been enjoyed by everyone so far. As well as the creative element, by sharing the finished product across the homes, it also makes it a fantastic social occasion with residents taking the quilt from home to home. It's going to take just under two months to get round all 23 homes, and will take in 435 miles as it goes from county to county. It's a lovely way for our residents to meet one another and enjoy a lovely festive day out."
The first leg of the quilt's journey starts from Claremont House & Lodge in Caister-on-Sea, where it will be delivered to residents at The Gables residential home in Gorleston, before moving on to Overbury House in Wroxham. A full schedule of the quilt's journey is below.
David Bates, Chief Operating Officer for Healthcare Homes added: "Congratulations to everyone who has been involved not only in making the fabric masterpiece, but to those coordinating the quilt's journey across counties to ensure that everyone gets to see the finished piece. It makes quite a social occasion for those residents who have volunteered to hand it over to the next home, as they get to meet other residents and share the overall experience - as well as a mince pie and glass of festive sherry, of course."
Fire Service meets Hillcroft House and Mill Lane residents
Residents from Stowmarket's Hillcroft House recently took a trip over to Mill Lane Nursing Home in Felixstowe to join in a talk that was provided by the local Fire Service. Representatives from the brigade spent time with residents to talk through the work they do across the county, offer fire safety advice and to chat to all attendees about their memories of the fire service from the past.
It was also a great opportunity for residents from Hillcroft House to socialise with friends from Mill Lane and an enjoyable get-together was had by all
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Garden makeover completed at Hillcroft House
Celebrations are underway at Hillcroft House residential home on Finborough Road, Stowmarket, following the completion of an extensive garden refurbishment project, which has created a brand new activity garden for residents and their visiting families and friends. The home received £20,000 Department of Health Capital Grant Funding through Suffolk County Council to complete the garden project.
With Hillcroft House supporting individuals with dementia, it applied for funding to create a garden that can be enjoyed throughout the year and provides residents with a safe garden that both stimulates the senses, as well as aiding relaxation. The transformation has seen the creation of raised beds, which include beautifully scented herbs and colourful plants and foliage, seating areas, a summer house, water features, plus a fantastic adventure play area that can be used by residents' visiting grandchildren.
Commenting on the project, Hillcroft House's manager, Lorraine Barker said: "We have all thoroughly enjoyed seeing the garden makeover take shape, and now the end result is just fantastic. A sloped area has been levelled for safety, and we now have some great new flower beds, walkways and seating areas, not to mention the superb summerhouse, which is already being used by the residents. It will make such a difference to everyone, and I'm sure residents' grandchildren will have fun playing on the new adventure equipment!"
The Capital Grant Fund was specifically set up by the Department of Health to improve the care environment and experiences of people living with dementia.
Added David Bates, chief operating officer of the Healthcare Homes Group: "Outdoor activity can greatly assist in the physical and emotional wellbeing of people with dementia, and so we are very excited to unveil the newly transformed garden. Hillcroft House is already a very welcoming, homely residence, and now the activity garden provides another great space that I know everyone will really enjoy."
Hillcroft House, which is a Healthcare Homes group residential home, accommodates residents with a range of conditions associated with dementia. Spacious and tastefully extended and modernised, it is an active home that can support up to 43 individuals. Regular activities and events take place at the home, including pamper days, musical entertainment, music & movement classes and excursions for coffee mornings and luncheon trips.
Knitted Tree project creates woolly masterpieces
"If you go down to the woods today you're sure to have a surprise!"
Don't be surprised if when passing one of Healthcare Homes' residential or nursing homes this month you spot a multi-coloured tree or two in their grounds and gardens! The Group has set a fun challenge that invites all 23 homes in the group to take part in a 'Knitted Tree' project, which encourages residents, staff, friends, family and the wider local communities to get involved – and get knitting!
Each year, Healthcare Homes sets an annual fun challenge across the group, which encourages creativity, but most of all, interaction and an enjoyable experience. Last year saw a poetry competition, with entries being collated into a group-wide book, and this year sees the launch of the Knitted Tree Project.
Sue Campbell-Bannerman, regional activities coordinator devised the idea for the latest project and is pleased with the response received so far: "All the homes have really enjoyed this project and already the entries we are receiving really are fantastic. Well done to not only the residents and staff, but relatives, friends and people from the local communities who are joining in!"
Rita Coleman, who is also working with Sue on the project, added: "We have invited all homes to take part in a Knitted Tree Project. Anyone can join in with the knitting: residents, staff, friends, family and even the local community. All they need to do is find a tree within the grounds of the home and get knitting! They can make squares that can then be sown up to go around the trunk or branches, or create pom-poms that can be displayed – be inspired, get creative and happy knitting!"
The Knitted Tree project will not only inject a great deal of colour into the gardens of the 23 homes located across the eastern counties, but is also a great opportunity to bring everyone together for a fun experience. Photos of all the completed Knitted projects will then be entered into a prize draw, where prizes will be awarded to the three most creative entries.
David Bates, chief operating officer, Healthcare Homes Group added: "Every year our activity coordinators set a fun challenge across all the homes in our group and this one is particularly colourful! I've already seen some of the decorated trees and it certainly catches your attention, particularly as the weather is turning autumnal – it adds a zest of colour back into our homes' gardens, and is ultimately great fun for residents, friends, family, and the homes' local communities."
Key facts about this care service
Care Quality Commission inspection ratings
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Size of care home
Medium43 beds
Registered manager in post
Yes registered manager in post
Annual staff turnover
Within the typical range with a value of 20%
Food hygiene rating
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Type of care provided by this organisation
Care home without nursing
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Overall capacity
This care provider has a total capacity of 43 service users
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Last updated on 17 July 2018.
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